Worry and anxiety over what will be can be draining and start to take up space in your workday. It is not always easy, but staying focused on your career while getting divorced will not only help you financially, it will give you a rest from constantly thinking about the divorce process and all that goes along with it.
If you are in this situation, you know it can be incredibly difficult to stay focused on work when life seems to be falling apart. Losing your job is NOT something that would make this easier. I know this from experience. The company I worked for folded right in the middle of my divorce process and it was one of the most difficult times of my life. So how in the world did I regroup and refocus to handle the stress of divorce while bringing in the income essential to my family’s survival?
Compartmentalize
When you compartmentalize, you put effort toward keeping your home-life tasks such as children’s activities, paying the bills, running errands and tackling other personal issues during non-business hours so your work time is spent achieving your work goals. When you do this, you can devote your time and energy to work when you are there. When you are focused completely on your work tasks, you will be more efficient and accomplish more.
Keep personal life, personal.
If you keep work at work, you will also be more present at home with your family and your personal goals. For some of us who work from a home-based office, this can be tricky as our work always seems to be looking at us when it is supposed to be family or personal time. That is why it is even more important to make the effort to compartmentalize your time.
Stick to a Schedule
When you have a schedule already in place, it is so helpful to keep you on task and help manage time. Have a work schedule that includes a couple of breaks to reassess and add or remove things as needed. If a project took you a little longer than planned, look for other areas that you might be able to cut a little shorter to help you manage your time effectively. I use an Outlook calendar for meetings and deadlines so that I can set reminders and invite others if needed. I also have a good old paper calendar that I carry around with me in my car because I tend to add things along the way as well. Because my job keeps me in the car for a good portion of my day, I also keep a pad of sticky notes to jot things down if I need to add it to my to-do list. Some of these things get tackled quickly, like a phone call and I can crumple that sticky up and keep going. You can plan your schedule as you see fit, but planning a schedule is imperative.
Focus on Your Goals
What do you want to accomplish? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? How will you get there? I am guessing there is a lifelong dream you have that you can share. Think about these goals and even the short-term ones like, get through the week without (cursing, chocolate, wine, calling…anyway)
I really encourage you to dream it out. I always wanted to take my kids on a fabulous trip. I wanted to experience a cool new destination and make life long memories that we could reflect upon and smile. I took my first big bonus from my job and planned a trip to New York City. I had been with some girlfriends and it was fun, but this trip was about making my kids feel special and see the spectacular sites of NYC with me. Mission accomplished. I secured a room at the breathtaking Four Seasons Hotel from Booking.com and had it all paid for before we even arrived. I planned what my kiddos wanted to see in advance so we had an idea where to go. We had the most amazing time and I only thought of how happy we all were and how proud I was of myself that I could make it happen.
Remember, this is your story.
Get Inspired
I know it is hard to think about sometimes, but my friend, there is so much wonderful ahead for you! There are both personal and career goals to be accomplished. You will be challenged and you will be tested, but with focus and drive, you will find strength and gifts within yourself that you never realized you had. What inspires you? What are your dream goals? Travel? A new home? Wardrobe? Education? Whatever makes you tick, get inspired and keep that in your vision. You are on your way!
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